The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Arkansas81]

Just a perimeter fence, I have over the years occasionally lost a chicken to Raptors, but the size of my run precludes an overhead net. However there are so many trees and bushes in the run, there are lots of places to hide. Also I now have Guineas incorporated into the flock and they spot danger long before the chickens do and warn.

How do u keep them from flying out? Was it hard to mix the guineas in the flock?

 

[JeffOeuf]

I didn't have googling to figure it out, my dirt pit composting is up to 18" deep and you have to figure the body heat from the chickens also. I have a thermometer in my coop and when it was blowing snow blizzard conditions outside at 16 degrees, the inside was above freezing, the rubber tub water also wasn't froze. My winter water is a rubber tub setting on a concrete block set in the composting litter.

I have no doubt that your set up works very well. What I can't buy into is "deep litter" in an elevated floor coop, or any framed floor coop for that matter. I built an elevated floor coop because it seemed smart for predator control, gives a bit of shade in the summer under the coop and it is very easy to clean. Here on BYC the prevailing argument is that deep litter is the only way to go and anyone who cleans their coop out once in a while is criticized. You said it best in your first follow-up...by the time you get the compost going, your floor is doomed.

 

[delisha]

Well it looks like I will not be doing deep litter after all. I did try this year and nothing wrong with trying. Next nice weather we have I will be emptying the deep litter and going back to clean dry floors. I can compost in my original pile.

No I can't move this coop. It is cemented deeply in on foundation foots. It has been standing and used for birds since 1976. It is an old house.Probably 900 sq feet. Moved on the property in 1975 and used for pigeons originally.

I can move my other coop though. That one is too small for all of my birds. That is also an old house. It is probably only 600 sq feet. I usually use that coop for a brooder. I do not know if you can remove floors from old housing with out damaging the whole house. I will have to speak with the DH and ask him. He thought I was crazy to try the DL to begin with.

 

[delisha]

Melabella,
Thanks for sharing the video clip!

 

[Melabella]

Melabella,
Thanks for sharing the video clip!

You're welcome sweetie!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Well...I know mine has worked quite will (DL that is) in a raised floor coop. I'm not going for the "completely composted" thing - I just want the health benefits of the micro-organisms working and breaking down enough to keep that mix growing.

I've been happy with it so far but, like Mumsy says, I do turn it over daily in addition to having added the dirt. No stink inside, breaking down quite well, and no ammonia (except for the corner that I didn't realize wasn't getting turned and now have remedied).

So...I don't think it's a lost cause for deep litter in a raised coop at all

I hope JackE comes over and weighs in on his Woods Style coop. I sent him a little invite to show us his coop and how it's working for him.

******************

ETA: I'm loving seeing all the different ways folks are making their chicken houses work. I'm sure there are lots of very viable ways to raise healthy chickens in different kinds of housing...Just wish I had a dirt floor... Next time!

 

[aoxa]

aoxa,,

I took all the horses heavy rugs off so they didn't sweat with the warm weather. Well, all four rolled in mud, from poll to tail. Wet, cold, heavy, sticky mud. When I win the lottery, one of the first purchases I will be making is a super duper built in the wall quiet horse vacumes.

We are going to install an outdoor shower, and have a moveable sink nearby to stick under the shower to wash our poultry before shows, and as it will help wash the dogs as well. I'm sure it's going to be awesome, as I've always wanted warm water to do the waterers.

I have no doubt that your set up works very well. What I can't buy into is "deep litter" in an elevated floor coop, or any framed floor coop for that matter. I built an elevated floor coop because it seemed smart for predator control, gives a bit of shade in the summer under the coop and it is very easy to clean. Here on BYC the prevailing argument is that deep litter is the only way to go and anyone who cleans their coop out once in a while is criticized. You said it best in your first follow-up...by the time you get the compost going, your floor is doomed.

Jeff, I totally understand why someone would not do deep litter. It did not work at all for me last winter. Everyone has different ways, and I respect that. Anyone that would say otherwise is long gone from this thread. We are not the type of people who have the motto: "My way or the highway". Frankly things work differently for every situation. Your situation doesn't allow for deep litter, and you are not harming your birds for not using that method (in my opinion anyway). I don't notice any added health benefit from deep litter, other than it's easier to maintain because I don't have to lug it all out often, and it's cheaper.

I may change my mind on the less work when I have to clean it out come summer.

 

[Melabella]

We are going to install an outdoor shower, and have a moveable sink nearby to stick under the shower to wash our poultry before shows, and as it will help wash the dogs as well. I'm sure it's going to be awesome, as I've always wanted warm water to do the waterers.

A dream addition to my "someday" mudroom hopefully in the future! Complete with one of those blow dryers they have in dog grooming places. My dogs were DISGUSTING yesterday.. dragged pounds of dirt in the house yesterday. Having a mudroom to dry off first would be so awesome!

 

[jendodd79]

We have a mud room that ends up being "storage" - so frustrating! I can't wait for spring so I can clean it all out and start again. lOL!

 

[Melabella]

We have a mud room that ends up being "storage" - so frustrating! I can't wait for spring so I can clean it all out and start again. lOL!

Oh I know that scenario too... My goal for 2013 is to PURGE my life of all uneccessary "things"

Question for experienced egg gatherers.

I just went out to feed some scratch to the flock, and got 2 more eggs, up to 4 today... woo hoo! One of the eggs has a very almost sandpaperish feeling to it. All my eggs so far have been so nice and smooth. I have been feeding all my egg shells back to my girls in the oyster shell container. They always gobble them striaght up. Is it possible I am feeding too much calcium? That couldn't have felt good comin down the ol egg shoot!